After joking during an interview that his drive had disappeared into the trees at last year’s event, the new Mayor of Swindon Neil Hopkins repeated the feat in front of players and organisers gathered for the popular fundraiser, which is expected to raise around £15,000 for Swindon children’s cancer charity CALM.
The annual event brought together 27 teams from local businesses, supporters and golf club members, all helping to raise vital funds for CALM (Cancer and Leukaemia Movement), a Swindon charity that has been supporting families affected by childhood cancer and leukaemia since 1984.
Organising the day was BBC Wiltshire presenter Richard Crowley, who has a deeply personal connection to the charity.
Twenty years ago, his youngest son was diagnosed with leukaemia and underwent three years of chemotherapy treatment. During that difficult period, CALM provided support to the family. Thankfully, his son made a full recovery and is now 23 years old.
“When he got better, we joined the committee, and so I’ve been on the CALM committee for 19 years, 18 years as chairman,” said Mr Crowley.
He explained that the golf day is one of the charity’s biggest annual fundraisers and plays a key role in helping CALM meet the £80,000 to £90,000 it needs each year to support families facing some of the toughest challenges imaginable.
Mr Crowley said the event had attracted strong support from businesses across Swindon and beyond, with sponsors, golfers and Wrag Barn members all helping to make the day a success.
Before taking his ceremonial opening shot, the mayor Neil Hopkins admitted he was more than a little rusty.
“My job is just to tee off,” he said. “Last year it went in the trees over there. I did try and play golf many, many years ago, but I just found I didn’t have time for it. Talk about rusty, I’ve completely seized up.”
His prediction proved remarkably accurate.
While the opening drive may not have troubled the fairway, the mayor was full of praise for the charity’s work.
“It’s an amazing charity,” he said. “I can’t think of anything worse than seeing your kids go through the trauma of having something like leukaemia or cancer, but it’s also traumatic for the parents. An organisation that tries to support the family through those really, really difficult times is a charity that really needs a lot of support.”
He added that the golf day had become much more than a sporting event.
“The golf day itself is a marvellous community thing that brings the community round CALM and helps this charity,” he said.
With dozens of teams taking part and thousands of pounds expected to be raised, organisers were hopeful that, even if the mayor’s golf ball ended up among the trees once again, the day would be another winning round for one of Swindon’s most valued charities.
